Hydraulically operated land leveler



April 2, 1957 L. T. JOHNSON HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED LAND LEVELER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1954 on mm 3 .3

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1. /oya' 7? Johnson INVENTOR.

United States Patent 2,787,066, I HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED 'LAND LEVELER Lloyd T. 1ohnson,. Bellevue; Idaho Application April 5, 1954, SerialNo. 420,969

1 Claim. (Cl; 37-153)" This invention relates to 'a hydraulically'operated land leveler and more particularlyto ascraping leveler adapted to be drawn by a tractor; or-the like; whichwill automatically adjust itself to contounl'and in a substantially level condition.

An object of this invention is to provideahyd'raulically operated land leveler having ground engaging means which when effected by thecontoureof the land will cause an adjustment of the levelerwhereby the scraper bladea hydraulically operated land levelerwhiclr is simple and efficient in construction, and durable and'lasting in use. These, together with other objects and advantages'which will become subsequently apparent reside'in'the'details of construction and ioperation asmore fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being'had totheaccompanying drawings formingapart" hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like partsthroughout; and'in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of the land'leveler forming;

the subject of this invention;

Figure 2is a side elevationalview'of"the'landlevelerf forming the subject of thisinventiony Figure 3 is a side elevational view withparts broken away of the land leveler forming the subject ofthis inven tion showing theground cngagingwheels imposition in'a depression in the surface off-the;ground"over"which the" leveler is traveling;

Figure 4 is a sectional view takensubstantially"along the section line 4-4 of Figure-l; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view-takensubstantiallyalong thesection line 5--5 of Figure 4..

Referring now more particularly to the-accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the "improved"hydraulically operated land levelerformingthe subjectof'this invem tion includes, a rectangular frame'for-med ofa pair of parallel side members which are joined togeth'er'at their oppositeends by a painof-parallel endframe members l2. Secured to the central portion of the front end frame member 12 and extending '-forwardly'-therefrom at a slight angle. relative tothe. horizontal :plane of :Lthe side frame members 1i). is. a hitchbar. 1.4.1v The hitchlwbar: 14 has an .ear.16 extendingforwardly.from: the front .end thereof which is adaptedeto.becOnnectedJto the:tow. bar 13 i aconventional tractorlll.

Suitable braces. 22.. areconnectedztoa the junctnreto-f the side frame members 10 with the front end frame member 12 and extend forwardly therefrom in converging relationship and are secured on opposite sides of the hitch bar 14. An inverted V-shaped brace member 24 is connected at its forward end to. the hitch bar 14 adjacent its forward endand at its rear end. to the rear end frame" member 12. The apex of the U-shaped brace member 24 is positioned substantially directly above the front end frame member 12'. Suitable braces 26 extend upwardly from the juncture ofthe side frame members 10 with the front end frame member 12 in converging relationship and are joined to the brace member 24 adjacent its apex. Thus, it will be seen thata' substantially rigid frame is provided by use of the various bracings and frame members.

The rear ofthe frame is adapted .to be supported by a pair of wheels 28. Each Ofthe wheels 28' is'rotatably mounted on a shaft 30whiclris supported bya yoke 32 extending. substantially vertically upwardly therefrom.

.he' upper end of the yoke 32 is provided with a sub stantially vertically extending shaft portion 34 which has rotatably mounted thereon a collar 36. The upperend of the shaft 34is provided with a fixed collar-'38 which prevents the shaft 34 from becoming separated from the collar 36. Fixedly secured to the collar 36 and extending substantially parallel therewith is afirst link as. A pair of parallel links 42 and 44 are pivotally connected at opposite endsof the link 40. The free end of the link 42 is pivotally connected to a link 46 which is rigidly secured on the frame in substantial vertical position. One of the links 46 is provided at each end of the rear end frame member 12 and the link 42 is connected to the lower end thereof. A suitable. shaft 48 is rotatably mounted on the upperends-of the links 46 and extend substantially parallel to the rear end frame member 12. The link at is fixedly secured to the end of the shaft 48; Thus, it will be seen that when the shaft 48 is rotated, the link 40 will be moved vertically with respect'to the end frame member 12.

In order to providewmeans for raisingand lowering the Wheels 28 a suitable hydraulic cylinder .50 is pivotally connected at one end to a. pair of. cars 52 which extend upwardly from the brace 24 adjacent its rear end. The

cylinder 50 is provided with a piston rod 54 extending therefrom which has its free end pivotally connected to a pair of ears 56 extending upwardly from. the shaft 48. Thus, it will be seen that when the piston rod 54 is extended from the'cylinder 50, the wheels 23 will be" lowered withrespect to the frame and when the piston rod 54 is drawn into the cylinder-5i), the'wheels 28 will be raised. with respect to the frame. 58 is provided for attachment to the forwardrnost frame member 12.. The scraper blade 58 is preferably scoop shaped and is provided with a pair of ears or extending forwardly therefrom at opposite ends thereof. The front frame member 12 is provided with a pair of ears 61-: extendingrearwardly therefrom to which the ears 6d are pivotally attached.

The side frame members 10 are provided with downwardly extending arms 64 rigidly secured thereto. The arms 64- are provided with vertical longitudinally extending slots 6o. Secured to the scoop 58 is a rearwardly ex tending arm 63. A suitable Lastener extends through an aperture in the arm 63 and through the slot as whereby theposition of the scraper blade 58 can be adjusted with respect to the frame.

In order to provide an automatic for raising and lowering the frame to position the scraper blade 53 above the surface of theground over which the leveler is traveling, pairs of ears fiZare secured to the front frame member 12and extend downwardly therefrom at opposite ends i thereof. A pair of levers 74 are pivotally secured at one endfito the .pairs' of ears iTand the levers 7 support a shaft 76' at their other end.

A pair of ground engaging wheels '73 are mounted at opposite ends of the shaft 76. One of the levers 74 is A scraper blade avenues provided with an extension arm till extending perpendicular thereto. The extension 80 extends in a substantially vertical direction. A split ring collar 32 is secured to the upper end of the extension 86 by a suitable fastener 84. One end of a shaft 86 is pivotally mounted to the collar 82 by means of a conventional bracket The other end of the shaft 86 is provided with a tubular extension 99 which forms a longitudinal extension there- The shaft 48 is provided with an arm 92 rigidly secured thereto and extending perpendicularly therefrom. A collar 94 is pivotally secured to the upper end of the arm 92 and is provided with a rod 96 rigidly secured thereto. The rod as is telescopically received in the tubular extension 98 of the shaft 8d.

In order to provide a means for limiting the movement of the rod 96 with respect to the tubular extension 90, the tubular extension 98 is provided with an enlarged portion 98 at the free end thereof. A slot 16-3 is formed in the enlarged portion 98 and a collar 19;; is disposed therein and is fixedly mounted on the rod 96. Thus, it will be seen that the collar 102 is capable of movement only within the confines of the slot 188.

A brace 184 formed of a substantially U-shaped member disposed at its upper end is mounted on one of the side frame members and extends vertically upwardly therefrom. The shaft 86 is adapted to pass between the legs of the brace member 104 whereby side sway of the shaft $1 6 will be prevented.

A control valve 186 is secured to the tubular extension 90 by suitable fasteners 1%. The valve N6 is provided with a plunger lllt) extending therefrom and to which is connected it link 112. The link 112 is connected at its other end to an arm 114 which is rigidly connected to the rod 96 and extends perpendicularly therefrom. Thus, it will be seen that movement of the extension 3% toward the arm 92 will cause the rod 96 to telescope within the hollow portion 9% and will cause the plunger ill) to be moved inwardly within the valve 1%. Movement of the extension 8% in the opposite direction with respect to the arm 92 will cause the plunger lit) to move outwardly from the valve 106. A conduit 114 is connected at one end to the cylinder 58 and at its other end to the valve 166. Suitable conduits 116 and 118 extend from the valve 186 and run along the brace member 24 to a suitable connector 128. The connector 12% is connected in any suitable manner such as by conduits 122 and 24 to a source of hydraulic pressure on the tractor 2i). The connector 1120 is also in the form of a valve having a lever 3126 for controlling the actuation thereof. This lever 126 serves as an emergency lever for raising the frame it? above the ground when the scraper blade 58 is overloaded.

in practical use of this device, after the lines 122 and 124 have been connected to the connector 12% and the 5 collar 16?. adjusted in a neutral position within the slot 108 as the leveler is towed across the ground, the scraper blade 58 will remove obstructions therefrom. in the event that there is a depression in the surface of the ground, as shown in Figure 3, the wheels '78 will be free to drop therein. This will cause the extension to assume the position shown in Figure 3 and will cause the rod 96 to be moved within the tubular extension 90. This will cause the plunger 118 to move inwardly in the valve 186 and direct fluid from the valve 106 to the cylinder 5%. This will extend the piston rod 54 causing the wheels 28 to be moved downwardly with respect to the frame. As soon as the arm 92 becomes parallel to the extension 89 the valve plunger ill} will then he in neutral positionvagain stopping the flow of fluid to the cylinder 58.

When the Wheel passes from the depression, the extension 80 will then be moved forwardly and out of alignment with respect to the arm 92 causing the plunger to be moved to a position whereby the fluid from the cylinder 50 will be exhausted through line 114 and through the exhaust line 118 back to the tractor, This will cause the piston rod 54 to be withdrawn into the cylinder 50 causing the wheel 28 to be raised with respect to the frame.

Thus, it will be obvious that when the wheel '78 drops into a depression, the frame It will be elevated causing the scraper blade 58 to be raised above the ground and causing any material collected therein to be deposited in the depression behind the wheels. In the event that the wheels 78 pass over an elevated portion of the ground, the movement of the wheel in the opposite direction will cause the scraper blade 58 to dig deeper into the elevated portion. Thus, it will be obvious that the scraper blade 5% follows a substantially level plane during movement over the surface of the ground.

If desired, a suitable control cable 128 can be connected to the lever 126 and to the seat 130 of the tractor. This will provide a convenient means whereby the operator can actuate the handle 126 in the event that the scraper blade 58 is overloaded.

if desired, additional brace means 132 can be provided for the forward end of the rectangular frame and a brace member 134 can be provided adjacent the rear end of the rectangular frame for bracing the rear end of the brace 24. The brace 134 will preferably be raised above the side frame members 10 by means of a pair of brackets 136.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explana tion is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A ground leveler comprising a frame having front and rear ends, and a scraper thereon, a pair of front wheels for supporting the front end of the frame, a pair of rear wheels for supporting the rear end of the frame, means pivotally mounting said front Wheels on said frame for lowering relative to the frame, parallel linl; means pivotally mounting the rear wheels on the rear end or" the frame and vertically swingable to lower said rear wheels relative to said frame for raising said rear end, hydraulic means on said frame for swinging said link means to lower said rear wheels, operating connections between said hydraulic means and link means, a valve on said frame operative from closed to open position to cause said hydraulic means to swing said link means, telescopic means separate from said hydraulic means operative to open and close said valve, means operatively connecting said first named means to said telescopic means to operate the latter to open said valve in response to lowering of the front wheels, and means operatively connecting said link means to said telescopic means for operating the latter to close said valve in response to lowering said rear wheels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,107,460 Steele Aug. 18, 1914 1,759,982 Hauser May 27, 1930 2,244,829 Dick June 10, 1940 2,283,744 Lethlean May 19, 1942 2,635,888 Bailiff Apr. 21, 1953 2,659,166 Mathias Nov. 17, 1953 

